Draw-bar for concrete structures.



G. C. ALLEN.

DRAW BAR FOB CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

1121101111011 $11.21) MAY 10, 1911.

1,020,676. Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

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CHARLES C. ALLEN, 0F NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA.

DRAW-BAR FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 16, 1911.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912. Serial No. 627,553.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nebraska City, in the county of Otoc and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Draw-Bars for Concrete Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to draw bars for connecting concrete blocks, culvert and sewer pipes and other concrete structures, and the primary object of the same is to provide a device of this class having simple and effective terminal connecting means wherein material is saved and a more expeditious assemblage of the bar members is permitted without in the least detracting from the strength of the device to resist strain imposed thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective means for the bar terminals which remove all strain from the securing bolt and obviate any tendency to breaking the concrete during association of the bar members.

WVith these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed in preferred form.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved draw bar and connecting means therefor, the terminals of the draw bar being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the connecting means and terminals of the draw bar. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of portions of the draw bar and the connecting means. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the connecting means immediately above the associated terminals of the draw bar members. Fig. 5 illustrates perspective views of the cooperating wedge washers embodying the essential features of the invention.

The numerals 5 and 6 designate draw bar members or sections each having an elongated looped terminal 7, the one looped terminal being disposed under or in parallel relation to the other so that the maximum bends of the two terminals will form an opening relatively to each other and in which the connecting or fastening means is inserted. In other words, the looped terminal 7 of the draw bar sections or members are overlapped and after the connecting or fastening means has been applied thereto the tension of the bar sections or members is exerted through the said terminals equally on different portions of the said connecting means.

The connecting or fastening means embodies two wedge washers each having an elliptical flanged head 8 and a hollow shank 9 having a wedge face 10 formed by cutting the shank away at a downward and outward angle of inclination or obliquely relatively to the head, the two shanks 9 when assembled having an elliptical contour with the faces 10 in close association and working against each other with a wedging action. The flanged heads 8 have central openings 11, one in each, .leading into the hollow shanks, and when the two wedge washers are assembled within the terminal loops 7 of the draw bar members or sections a headed bolt 12 is inserted therethrough and secured by asuitable nut 13. The outer portion of each shank 9 adjacent to the head 8 is formed with a concave seat as at 14 to snugly receive the loop of each terminal 7, as clearly shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and by this means a close fitting and reliable association of the loops 7 with the washers are provided. The flanged heads 8 at points opposite the formation of the seats 14 are projected over the converging portions of the terminal loops 7 to give an increased bearing or more positive securing purchase relatively to the said terminal loops.

In assembling and securing the draw bar members or sections 5 and 6 the terminal loops 7 are overlapped, as hereinbefore indicated, and the two wedge washers are inserted through the overlapped portions of the loops from opposite sides and the bolt 12 is then projected through the washers and secured by applying the nut 13 thereto. As the bolt is tightened relatively to the washers by screwing the nut 13 thereon, the said washers are drawn toward each other and produce a wedging action owing to the formation of the oblique or angular faces 10, and by such operation the terminal loops 7 are firmly secured without recourse to the use of plugs or driven devices which are always liable to split or fracture the concrete and requiring care in their application with a consequent loss of time and frequently a tedious operation to arrive at the result sought. The improved connecting or fastening means including the looped terminals of the draw bar members or sections require but very little labor in assembling them, and aside from the securing bolt, there being but two parts or the two washers embodying integral heads and shanks to introduce in the looped terminals, it is obvious that the connection of the said terminals may be readily accomplished. The use of the wea e washers as hereinbefore explained also results in a great saving of material and a consequent reduction in cost which amounts to considerable where a large number of bar members or sections are connected. Furthermore, by the use of the washers and the single bolt cooperating therewith, a close and practically smooth joint is formed. It is obvious that changes in the proportions and dimensions of the washers may be adopted at will.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with draw bar members having overlapped looped terminals, of connecting means consisting of wedge washers inserted through the overlapped terminals and provided with flanged heads bearing against the terminals, the washers having shanks with contiguous wedging faces, and a bolt inserted through and secured in the washers.

2, The combination with draw bar members having overlapped looped terminals, of cooperating wedging washers having shanks inserted through the overlapped terminals and provided with wedging faces, and a bolt inserted through the washers and terminals and operating to set up a wedging action between said wedging faces.

3. The combination with draw bar members having overlapped looped terminals, of connecting means consisting of washers having flanged heads and hollow shanks with engaging wedging faces, the shanks being inserted through the opposing looped terminals and the flanged heads bearing on the outer portions of said terminals, and a bolt inserted through the washers and securing the flanged heads and the looped terminals by wedging action.

4. The combination with draw bar members having overlapping looped terminals, of connecting washers having flanged heads and semi-ellipticalshanks with inner opposing wedging faces, the washers being inserted through the outer portions of the overlapped terminals and the semi-elliptical.

shanks conjointly forming an elliptical shank when associated, and a securing bolt inserted through the washers and drawing the flanged heads tightly against the looped terminals of the bar members.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES C. ALLEN.

WVitnesses A. P. YOUNG, CHAS. H. BUscH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

